Is helping others overrated? Is ministry a recipe for burnout? How can pastors last the course? Author and pastor Margaret Marcuson introduces the notion of “sustainable ministry,” which trains and empowers pastors to focus on their inner resources for proactive leadership, instead of trying harder to help, fix or change others.
Leaders Who Last draws upon the author’s own pastoral experience and leadership, plus a significant analysis of leadership in both families and churches over generations. Interviews with current church leaders punctuate chapters on stress, spiritual practice, church triangles, relationships, self-awareness, money, and creating a climate where true change can take place.
Israel Galindo, author, The Hidden Lives of Congregations says:
“Marcuson brings practical and tested wisdom to the pages of this book on effective ministry leadership. Insightful, often playful, she shares her coaching expertise in this short course on effective leadership.”
From Peter L. Steinke, author, Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What, and church consultant:
“Both enlightening and encouraging, Marcuson’s book makes a significant contribution to the literature on Bowen theory and ministry, offering insights into leadership that lasts.”
The Midwest Book Review:
“Leaders Who Last is a must for church leaders who want their position to be more than short term.”
Money does not have to be the hardest thing you do at church. There is an alternative to nonstop fundraising, convincing people to give more—or simply cutting the budget. This approach lets you discover what you bring to church finances that you already have, rather than simply teaching you the latest fundraising technique.
Learn how you can:
- become more thoughtful about the financial challenges you and your church face;
- see money—and your own leadership strategies— from a different perspective;
- bring more calm and creativity to recurring and unexpected problems in funding ministry;
- concentrate on long-term ministry goals and strategic persistence to get financial support for those goals;
- focus on yourself and what you can impact directly rather than trying harder to convince others to give more or make different financial decisions;
- enjoy the stewardship process rather than dreading it each year;
- reduce your overall stress about church finance.
From The Reverend Margaret Lewis, MBA, Director, Center for Career Development and Ministry:
“There are many excellent books out there about church financial stewardship, and I’ve read most of them. Money and Your Ministry is one of the finest. You don’t need to purchase a better “stewardship campaign program.” You don’t need to be anxious about funding your church’s ministry. You do need this book.”
The Reverend Andrew Archie, Rector, Church of St. Michael and St. George, Clayton, Missouri says:
“In this extraordinary and unique book, Marcuson has brought clear and straightforward thinking to one of the greatest challenges congregations are facing at this moment. Calling on years of insight and thoughtfulness, and using examples from across the church, the secrecy, power, and mystique of money is drawn away and the true potential of money to be a means of self-discovery and greater maturity is revealed. This book does not leave you where it found you.”